The site is maintained by the AIDS Action Committee with the help of a $100,000 annual grant from the Public Health Department.
BOSTON – A group of Massachusetts lawmakers is calling on Gov. Deval L. Patrick to cut off state funding for a sexual education web site aimed at teens, saying it uses “disgusting” language to describe sex acts and downplays the risks of abortion.
The site, www.mariatalks.com , is maintained by the AIDS Action Committee with the help of a $100,000 annual grant from the Public Health Department.
At a news conference Tuesday, the bipartisan group of legislators said it was sending a letter to Patrick urging him to cut funding.
State. Rep. Marc Lombardo said the information about abortion on the site downplays medical and psychological risks and advises teens on how they can obtain abortions without telling their parents.
State Rep. Byron Rushing said the site provides useful information and “speaks the language that teenagers speak.”
In a prepared statement, the public health agency defended the site but said it would be willing to meet with critics and discuss possible changes in content.